Método para cálculo global de eficiência em sistemas de ar comprimido: aplicação a três estudos de caso

Abstract

The consumption of electricity is increasing in proportions that the generation does not follow, so when energy efficiency actions are carried out, they generate more positive impacts on society. Thinking about this energy consumption reduction bias, the present work developed a method to evaluate the overall efficiency in compressed air systems. Such a method takes into account the air leakage rate in the compressed air network, the pressure drop in the pipe that the air flows and the compressed air pressure provided by the generating system. Therefore, the developed method was implemented in three different installations, each with a different equipment configuration. The application of the method in the first installation showed a potential reduction of 39.2% energy consumption in the compressed air system, but after performing the suggested actions, the real gain was 27.9%. The application of the method in the second installation projected a reduction in energy consumption of 49.5% in the compressed air system, and after the implementation of the actions, the real gain was 11.9%. The application of the method in the third installation showed an energy reduction potential of 51.0%, but after the implementation of the actions, the real gain founded was 9.5%. The major impact factor that caused the difference between the projected gain and the actual gain in the three facilities was the failure of the companies in fully implement the actions suggested. The results were satisfactory, showing the feasibility of applying this method to calculate the overall efficiency in compressed air systems.